4BIRD: the glass that protects birds
To avoid accidental bird collisions on building glazings, the 4BIRD® product family offers different solutions to bring more visibility to these transparent surfaces without compromising on their technical performances. This is also what sustainable construction is all about.
Every year, in the US alone, a billion birds die as a result of collisions with glass surfaces. In Germany, it is estimated that there are 100 million fatal collisions per year[1].
These collisions are far from being the leading cause of bird mortality, but they could nevertheless be reduced significantly thanks to Saint-Gobain Glass’ 4BIRD® solutions.
Following official guidelines in Europe and North America, the 4BIRD® product family offers different ways to protect birds without forfeiting the energy efficiency or aesthetics of the glazing.
The 4BIRD®Frit series features silk-screened patterns on the double glazing to make it easier for birds to spot the obstacle at close range. This range was developed to combine these patterns with COOL-LITE® solar control coatings without compromising on the thermal protection and energy-saving performance of the glazing. These solutions are simpler, more cost-effective and more versatile than previously possible.
The 4BIRD®Etch series features patterns acid-etched directly on COOL-LITE® solar control glass. This is made possible by the EASYPRO® protective coating technology. This more technical solution is also more discreet to the human eye, but no less effective.
The 4BIRD® family is still incubating its latest products, which should hatch later in 2022: 4BIRD®Lami for solutions directly integrated in the PVB film (PolyVinylButyral) of laminated glass, and 4BIRD®UV which consists of a UV coating that is only visible to birds.
All 4BIRD® solutions have been evaluated by the American Bird Conservancy and recognized as effective in protecting birds. To be sustainable, construction looks at its carbon footprint, which materials are used; with such anti-collision glazing solutions, construction also takes care of the biodiversity that lives alongside all of us.
[1] Data provided by local biodiversity protection associations